After his release in 2011, Merlino moved to Boca Raton, Florida. William Rinick, who was sentenced in May to 30 years in prison on federal drug charges, is on trial in the October 2001 fatal . this helps us promote a safe and accountable online community, and allows us to update you when other commenters reply to your posts. Prior, he'd been acting underboss of the crime family. Protestors sing and dance to support the Rockettes. In court, Mr. Merlinos lead lawyer, Edwin Jacobs, hammered government witnesses for inconsistencies in testimony and for their own criminal backgrounds, including the star witness, J. R. Rubeo. Defense lawyer Edwin Jacobs Jr. apparently couldnt believe his ears and asked Rubeo, So now you are telling us that Joey slept with this rep?. Reputed mob boss "Uncle Joe" Ligambi threw a party last Sunday night at Colleens Restaurant on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Bruno Indelicato, left, Frank Lino. One law enforcement source claims that police staged this early morning search/raid and tipped off the news media to cover it to embarrass Deborah Merlino and publicly expose an alleged relationship between the two. Currently president of RussKap Water, Dominick has worked in various global locations to provide healthy water around the globe." MyLife is NOT a Consumer Reporting Agency - You may NOT use this information to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, tenancy or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. (See Peter's Italian Restaurant menu here .) DeSimone disappeared, meaning there's zero evidence as to how he was killed; in fact, it can't be said with absolute certainty that he was killed. Once upon a time, Mr. Merlino was known as the John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue, for his debonair appearance and public braggadocio. "Those that say they believe Billy was just Deborahs bodyguard, and those that think theres something more going on between them. [55] In a 2013 interview with George Anastasia, Merlino denied any current involvement in the Philadelphia Mafia and has stated that his life as a criminal is over. Merlinos friends are united in their support of Joey Merlino, but divided in what they believe about Deborahs situation. The longtime alleged boss of the Philadelphia/Atlantic City organized crime family, Angelo The Gentle Don Bruno, was murdered by unknown (well, more or less) assailants in 1980 after decades as the presumed chief of South Philadelphias criminal rackets. Twee Big Ang's Sister Wages War on Mob Wives Reboot; Di Book on Theresa Ferrara, Goodfella Tommy DeSimone' Members Of Colombo War Factions (1991-1993), Bikers Bloodied Up At Least Three Bonanno Wiseguys At Long Island Funeral Parlor, Gang Land Reports. government sources. Deborah Merlino found in Henderson and Las Vegas. During Natale's reign, Merlino was the real power in the family, allowing Natale to become boss to direct law enforcement attention away from himself. Tags: Mafia, Members Only, mob, Philadelphia mafia, Philadelphia mob, Philly mafia, Philly mob, Scarfo mob, scott burnstein, Skinny Joey Merlino, tiny. In the aftermath, Mr. Merlino accepted a plea deal whereby he would serve time on gambling charges. In killing he was acquitted of in Pa", https://web.archive.org/web/20160417211432/https://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/ocreport.pdf, "Merlino's Way: Eyeing Philly from Fla.? Right now, Joseph Merlino lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Other names that Joseph uses includes Joseph A Merlino. She was cheating on her husband with a guy from New York, a football player, testified Rinnick. Deborah's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is currently a registered Republican; and religious views are listed as Christian. view. Privacy Policy. The three had together grown increasingly disillusioned with Philip (Rusty) Rastelli's prison house leadership and had begun to make their feelings known. The prosecution's case was aided by several of Merlino's former Mafia cohorts agreeing to cooperate with the government. Cicale is planning to launch the podcast series with an historical bang: The debut episode, to be posted online next week on Valentines Day, will touch on secret codes, schtupping a Luchese soldiers wife, issues of trustand plotting against Michael (Mikey Nose) Mancuso (who is the official top Banana on the street today). Merlino was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1962. Includes Address(1) See Results. Deborah Merlinos scowling at Rubeo quickly turned to a look of shock. Press reports suggested Mr. Merlino, who had famously never accepted a plea bargain during a lifetime of criminal prosecutions, had turned down a deal where he would plead guilty to reduced charges and serve one to three years in jail. (According to the arcane rules of the American underworld, Italian-Americans gangsters do not use bombs to kill someone. Witnesses said her face froze and she was later seen speaking in . (Yes, this is kind of an unusual story for this blog to publish, we admit.) After being released from prison, Dominick met with a rabbi "who works to better humanity," he said. Joseph's annual salary is between $70 - 79,999; properties and other assets push Joseph's net worth over $10,000 - $24,999. Not according to friends and relatives in South Philadelphia, who see him and his associates as something else: the adult versions of the corner boys who grew up with them in the tight-knit Italian-American Catholic neighborhoods of South Philly, locals who made their first holy Communion at St. Pauls or St. Monicas or Epiphany of Our Lord, where the boys went to St. John Neumann and the girls to St. Maria Goretti, two Catholic high schools that combined into a single school in 2004. It was the late 1990s, and Downtown, with Passyunk Avenue as the aortic valve that fed the whole area its vitality, had gone through a brutal mob war between a young born-and-bred wiseguy,Joseph Skinny Joey Merlino, and the local mob boss, the Sicilian John Stanfa. ", "Joey Merlino arrested in major mob bust", "Joseph Merlino: The mobster next door | Miami Herald", "Philly Mobster Merlino Now a Florida Maitre D', "Merlino's back story as big as its food", "The Region; Casino Agency Bars 4 More Men", "Straight From the Horsehead's Mouth | Cover Story | News and Opinion | Philly Weekly", "Skinny Joey Talks About Nicky Skins and Life Without the Mob", "Ron Previte, wiseguy informant who brought down Philly mob bosses, dead at 73", "Stories of Hits That Missed Are a Smash in Court", "F.B.I. Friends of Deborah Merlino have denied any improper relationship and told City Paper, "Billy is a close friend of the family, and he is Deborahs bodyguard. [70], This article is about Joseph Merlino the gangster. [34] Merlino sometimes used the Pagans to help settle underworld disputes. [10] He is also the nephew of deceased Philadelphia crime family mobster-turned government witness Lawrence "Yogi" Merlino. Learn more in our Privacy Policy. Merlino is accused of racketeering and conspiracy charges that could land him behind bars for the rest of his life. [28] Nevertheless, Merlino gained notoriety as a flamboyant, celebrity gangster who often went out partying with a large entourage. 2023-03-29. Joseph maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Louis Merlino, Maryann Herrington, Deborah Merlino, Harold Elk and Nicholas Saville. And the man police found hiding under a bed in her house also got another. It was already viewed View the profiles of people named Deborah Merlino. He was the purported head of the Philadelphia mafia already (Mr. Stanfa having been sent to prison for life), but he was also fairly young and quite the partier. Renee Graziano's ex-husband got a reduced sentence in 2014 because he flipped and testified against tw, Longtime Bonanno wiseguy Anthony (Bruno) Indelicato, 75, who shot his way into the annals of American organized crime, was released from prison on May 20, 2022, as per the BOP inmate locator website. Along with Merlino, six of his peers were also convicted of various racketeering related charges. Rubeo had been testifying about the role of an unidentified pharmaceutical saleswoman in an insurance-fraud scam that Merlino allegedly ran when he unexpectedly blurted out, Listen, he got caught sleeping with her.. We use cookies to personalize & enhance your experience. had given him $25,000 to lure Mr. Merlino to a meeting at an Arthur Avenue restaurant in the Bronx where Mr. Merlino could be secretly taped, providing the basis for a criminal conspiracy charge that could be prosecuted in New York. Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more. people learn more about others, just like Yelp does for Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a CMS Bot business website. [63] Merlino refused any plea offer and went to trial on January 30, 2018. The author appears in the center background of the photo(AP Photo/Kathy Willens). Picture source: The Philadelphia Inquirer . 100% CAUCASIAN Our ethnicity data indicates the majority is Caucasian. Gaetano "Tommy Horsehead" Scafidi agreed to cooperate in 2000 while finishing a prison sentence due to fears that he would be murdered by Merlino's crew. In 1998, at a tiny bar on Two Street (as we all called it), my roommate collided with Skinny Joey in its narrow confines, and Skinny Joey spilled his drink. (He was jailed anyway, for various alleged crimes committed while he was an F.B.I. After deliberations had begun several days before, the jury had told the judge four times that they were impossibly deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict on any of four counts against Mr. Merlino; each time Judge Sullivan had asked them to continue deliberating. Who's Searching for You, Look Your Best to People Searching for You. Joseph's current home is located at Pittsburgh, PA. Joseph also answers to Joseph A Merlino, and perhaps a couple of other names. Rinick is not a very classy guy.". March 10, 2023 . Phil Lucky, left, Sonny Red, Big Trinny. And the Bonanno crime family, with which he was once affiliated has disowned him. deborah merlino nationalitybitter leaf for hair growth. Username. Merlino was released from prison in April 1992. Mafia news site. Within a few years of Mr. Scarfos imprisonment, Joey Merlino was identified by the F.B.I. Merlino was released from the correctional facility on March 15, 2011, after serving almost 12 years of his sentence. He was released 10 days early and was free of any post-release restrictions after he won an appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has led the crime family in gambling, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and extortion. I met Skinny Joey back then, by accident. [69] In October 2019, Merlino was granted an early release and moved to a halfway house to finish the rest of his sentence, later given supervised release in South Florida. "He liked to go out. (Curiously, the media release, Longtime Genovese family powerhouse Anthony (Tough Tony) Federici, who ran a landmark Queens-based Italian restaurant, died this morning of natural causes, sources tell Cosa Nostra News . Merlino's father owned and operated the 9M Bar in Southwark that Nicky Scarfo used as his criminal headquarters during his attempt to become the new boss of the Philadelphia crime family.[11]. Guys like him don't just disappear into thin air. At the time of his murder, Finelli was running Nicks Charcoal Pit restaurant on the 1200 block of Snyder and had recently moved back to the neighborhood after living in Northeast Philly for awhile. Facebook gives people the power. You need not worry that I will be outsourcing Of Many Things columns to our robot overlords in the future. Ann D Merlino, Deborah Ann Saliola and Deborah A Merlino. Joseph is now single. Stanfa was arrested for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act violations in March 1994,[25] was convicted in 1995,[26] and sentenced to life in 1996. View court, arrest, criminal/conviction Stanfa escaped uninjured and his son survived being shot in the jaw. Were sorry registration isn't working smoothly for you. Merlino, 58, received a two-year prison sentence in a 2018 plea deal after his first Manhattan Federal Court racketeering prosecution ended in a mistrial. The alleged affair between Deborah Merlino and an unidentified New York gridder was raised by mobster Billy Rinick, who was convicted yesterday of first-degree murder for pumping five rounds. In 1984 Merlino was found guilty on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. [14][15] Along with his longtime buddies and future mobsters, he was known to beat up people, rob people, and start fights in clubs. [27] With most of Stanfa's supporters also arrested and convicted, Merlino, released from prison in November 1994, won the war and named Ralph Natale as the new boss while positioning himself as his underboss. Dom Cicale's podcast will debut next week. After it became clear that the government evidence was tainted by F.B.I. Joseph's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Peg-legged drug dealer Billy Rinnick testified that he drove Deborah Merlino to Maryland in October 2001 to undergo the abortion of her love child by the football player who was brave - or. We've received your submission. Hes on trial for federal racketeering but a reputed Mafiosos wife is the one who got blindsided by a mob rat in Manhattan court Wednesday. Pope Francis takes on Mafia on anniversary of St. John Pauls stand. So has the rest of New York's Cosa Nostra, according to FBI documents and Peter Pasta himself. Phil Giaccone, who had been Joe Massino's skipper for six months in 1978, had been targeted first, but the hit was called off, possibly because the decision had been reached that the better, Well, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, and Guatemalato name three places that Dominick Cicale, former Bonanno crime family capo, has visited on business during post-Cosa Nostra life over the past nine years. For the New Jersey politician, see, Merlino in a surveillance photo in the 1990s, Caparella, Kitty. Stanfa hoped he would be able to keep tabs on the Merlino crew and make it easier to kill them if necessary. Rubeo, one of three turncoat mobsters expected to testify, also alleged that. In addition to the podcast, Dom has something else potentially in the works with another podcaster, category killer (, This story from 2014 is one of the most popular on this siteand we didn't even know it until very recently (for reasons stemming from the fallibility of generalized analytics data.) A conversation on Catholic ethics and A.I. [59] Instead, Merlino officially worked there as a matre d' until the restaurant closed in 2016. [13] His father Salvatore would also be banned by the same commission as his son for his criminal activities on May 23, 1984. Police sources claim that a grand jury is investigating Rinicks drug organization as well as the homicide of one-time Rinick associate, Adam Finelli, who was found shot to death behind the wheel of his Cadillac on Halloween. Rinnicks blockbuster story may get Skinny Joe in a rage, but it still leaves him without a verifiable alibi for the shooting of a man named Adam Finelli early the next day, on Oct. 31, 2001. [17] In January 1990, Merlino was convicted of planning the heist and sentenced to three years in prison. Like most Americans, I love mobster movies. Indelicato was one of three masked gunmen who walked into Joe & Marys restaurant in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn one hot July day in 1979 and blasted Carmine Galante at close range while the volcanic, would-be usurper enjoyed a customary, post-prandial cigar. The movie has drawn some new attention to Downtown (what South Philadelphia was and still often is called by anyone who lives there), andto some of Philadelphia's most famous (or infamous) organized crime figures of the past, including Felix "Skinny Razor" DiTullio (played by Bobby Cannavale), Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno (played by Harvey Keitel) and Phillip "Chicken Man" Testa (played by LarryRomano). Age, Wiki Biography and Wiki. His lawyer maintains that Merlino plans to. "Theres two different groups of people now," the partygoer told City Paper. Because Mr. Merlino is from Philadelphia and was residing in Florida at the time of his most recent arrest, the connection with the Southern District of New York was tenuous, and press coverage and public interest were fairly muted. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015. Finelli was a South Philadelphia Jewish kid originally named Silver who had his name changed to fit in with his Italian-American friends. Federici, who remarkably appeared in several YouTube video interviews about six years ago (three of which are posted below), was the longtime owner of Park Side Restaurant, a popular Italian restaurant located in the heart of Corona, Queens that his parents opened in 1960 under a different name. [20] The "Young Turks" as the press would eventually dub Merlino's tight-knit crew, struck first with the killing of Felix Bocchino on January 29, 1992. Pope Francis defends John Paul II in Vatican Girl case, Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sex abuse in Wisconsin, North America synod document calls the church to welcome women, LGBT people and youth, Executive Director for Mission Integration, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, What ChatGPT reveals about our historyand demands of our present, Hong Kongs Jesuit bishop visits Beijing as China-Vatican ties strain, We get to know God in the humdrum of everyday life. He ended the relationship with her. $88k AVERAGE INCOME Our wealth data indicates income average is $88k. [33] Merlino was friends with Steve "Gorilla" Mondevergine, president of the Pagans MC motorcycle club. The truth is, we know very little about this murder, including who pulled the trigger. But is Mr. Merlino a gangster in the mold of notorious mob bosses like John Gotti or Russell Bufalino (played by Joe Pesci in "The Irishman") orVincent The Chin Gigante? On August 12, Merlino was released on a $5 million bond.[62]. A criminal complaint filed on Friday alleges that ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick sexually assaulted a Wisconsin man in 1977, when the alleged victim was 18 years old. Joseph Merlino is 63 years old and was born on 02/14/1959. Still, Rubeos out-of-the-blue testimony wasnt the first time Joey and Deborahs relationship has been rocked by courtroom allegations of infidelity. He said, She sends things to my house, my wife is going to find out, Rubeo added. Logging in will also give you access to commenting features on our website. His second cousin is the pastor of one of South Phillys most prominent parishes. Mikey Nose Mancuso. According to Natale, he and Merlino began plotting to take over the Philadelphia crime family during this period. He was convicted of murder and jailed for life. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. At the time of the purported abortion, on Oct. 30, 2001, Merlinos husband was incarcerated. He agreed to plead guilty to one charge of facilitating illegal gambling transactions via an electronic device in exchange for the U.S. Attorney's Office dropping the remaining charges against him and recommending a prison sentence between 1016 months. Joseph Salvatore "Skinny Joey" Merlino (born March 13, 1962) is an Italian-American mobster and reputed boss of the Philadelphia crime family. The thugs tawdry tale was blasted yesterday in closing arguments by prosecutor Ed Cameron, who told jurors that Rinnick would say anything to avoid a death sentence. I think its a little more complicated than just a question of what the government thinks Joey might have done, Mr. Anastasia cautioned in a phone interview with America in 2018 during Mr. Merlino's most recent trial, in a quote that could have come straight out of The Irishman: James T. Keane is a Senior Editor at America. You can either click on the link in your confirmation email or simply re-enter your email address below to confirm it. Joseph (Skinny Joey) Merlino's federal racketeering trial, any of the crimes listed in the indictment, unnecessary and excessive prescriptions for expensive compound cream, Rick Porello's American Mafia website noted, Joseph (Uncle Joe) Ligambi, boss of the Philadelphia crime family, Membership In Colombo War Factions (1991-1993), Hoodwinked: Restaurateur on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares Was a Mobster, Mob Wife Ex-Husband Hector Pagan In Brooklyn Halfway House With April 2021 Release Date, Notorious Bonanno Wiseguy Bruno Indelicato Released From Prison. Joey Merlinos wife showed up at a mob party and was the center of attention. A source told us that Dom "offered to work to help society at large, and he has made great strides working with Yehuda Kaploun. In March 1998, Anthony Turra, on trial on charges of plotting to kill Merlino, was shot dead outside his home by a gunman in a black ski mask. to see complete work history. Whether she was fooling around with Billy or not, the appearance is so bad. See [36][37] Following Natale's arrest for parole violation in 1999, Merlino officially took over the crime family, cutting off Natale. Because MyLife only collects this data and does not create it, we cannot fully guarantee its accuracy. Joe Pesci immortalized a vicious killer in Goodfellas. Natale was a longtime mobster who was serving a 15-year prison sentence for arson and drug trafficking. Email Lookup Area Code: ", "Who's the mob hit-wit" March 14, 1998. During this time, Merlino and Natale oversaw the crime family's gambling, loan sharking, extortion and stolen goods rackets. Deborah's relationship status is married. When the judge called a break a short time later, Deborah Merlino slowly got up and walked out, trailed by her hubby's retinue with Joey following a short distance behind. [43][44] In March 2004, Merlino was acquitted of Sodano's murder as a violent crime in aid of racketeering.[45]. They'd never leave New York because everything they want -- a certain lifestyle, basically -- is in New York and cannot be duplicated anywhere else. He rose to power in the mid-1990s, allegedly after waging war for control of . Merlino was arrested at his home in Florida and put on trial in New York City. [31] Angered by the beating, Turra sought vengeance. Browse Locations. st benedict holmdel bulletin. Please contact us at members@americamedia.org with any questions. A Philadelphia gangsters beautiful wife conducted a secret affair with a New York football player and later aborted the jocks baby, an accused murderer has charged at his sensational trial. "The country's first lady asked for the water machine to be placed in that school because she went there as a young girl," Dom said. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Peg-legged drug dealer Billy Rinnick testified that he drove Deborah Merlino to Maryland in October 2001 to undergo the abortion of her love child by the football player who was brave or foolhardy enough to cuckold Merlinos notorious hubby, mob boss Joseph Skinny Joe Merlino. Why was he involving Joeys wife in anything that would bring the cops to her house? From an early age, Joey veered towards a life of crime, and formed a gang of associates, including Michael Ciancaglini, Steven Mazzone or Martin Angelina. James Donovan was killed during a botched robbery in July 2010. With the exception of closing arguments and the expected verdict, the viewing gallery usually only held half a dozen viewers each day, largely local reporters and occasionally family members and friends of Mr. Merlino. [67] To avoid a retrial, Merlino entered into a plea deal with federal prosecutors on April 27. Diamond mine in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone that Do, Trailer added below An unassuming Instagram post will lead curious mob watchers to some potential intrigue, assuming they value recent Bonanno crime family history. 0. He had been friends with future made man in the Philadelphia crime family Michael "Mikey Chang" Ciancaglini and his brother Joseph "Joey Chang" Ciancaglini Jr. since attending St. Thomas Aquinas grade school in Philadelphia's Point Breeze neighborhood. It was his connection. [46][47][48] He was transferred to a halfway house in Florida for six months and then was on supervised release until 2015. Where In The World Is Onetime Bonanno Capo Dom Cicale These Days? For more information, please see our deborah merlino nationality. (Mr. Merlinos nickname was supposedly coined in childhood to distinguish him from a similarly named but huskier relative, Fat Joey.)These days, in the booming home-construction market of Philadelphia, the alleged mobsters are more likely to be renovating row homes in South Philadelphia and flipping them for profit, all by the books. wire to detail his criminal activities, stated under oath his reason for testifying against Mr. Merlino was a desire to avoid prison time. Merlino, 52, has been living in south Florida since 2011, when he left prison after more than a decade from a Philadelphia racketeering conviction. Henderson, NV (1) Las Vegas, NV (1) Refine Your Search Results. Copyright 2023 America Press Inc. | All Rights Reserved. That was almost two years ago, when I spent a week researching and writing a story on Mr. Merlinos trial on racketeering and gambling charges. Liked by Deborah Merlino Curtin Through Takeda's Improving Health Equity in Cancer: A Community Grant Program, we had the privilege of awarding more than $650K to community-based So Rinnick drove the striking 38-year-old Korean native who once lived in an apartment on East 22nd Street in Manhattan to a clinic in Maryland, where she had the abortion, he testified. At the time, Joeys lawyer dismissed Rinicks claim as made-up retaliation against Deborah for testifying against him. In October Rita and her two daughters, Maria and Natalie, voiced concerns when Deborah was seen with William "Billy" Rinick on several occasions. Copyright 2023 My City Paper :: New York City News, Food, Sports and Events. Either he cooperates and gives up his suppliers, or the mob kills him for fooling around with Merlinos wife." If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, youll have unlimited access to the website. [60], On August 4, 2016, Merlino was one of 46 people arrested up and down the East Coast in a RICO indictment. "We consider this an organized crime assassination, a mob hit," Police Inspector Jerrold Kane said. He was shot twice as he left for the federal courthouse. In August 1982 at age 20, Merlino and Salvatore Scafidi, son of bookmaker Gaetano Scafidi Sr., beat and stabbed two male patrons at the Lido Restaurant in Atlantic City. If youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you! MyLife aggregates publicly available information from government, social, and other sources, plus personal reviews written by others. The nicknames of Mr. Merlinos alleged associates, mentioned over the years in government documents, are straight out of central casting: Beeps, Horsehead, Snitch, Scoops, Chickie, Mousie, Penknife, Windows, Handsome Stevie,Baby Dom, Uncle Joe and many more. Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address. The younger Scarfo was shot eight times with a MAC-10, but was not hit in any vital organs. Deborah Merlino was born on 06/11/1954 and is 68 years old.Deborah Merlino currently lives in Brentwood, CA; in the past Deborah has also lived in Bryceville FL and San Ramon CA.Deborah also answers to Deborah Merlino Alvarez, Deborah Merlinoalvarez, Deborah Merlino-alvarez, Debbie A Merlino and Debbie Merlino, and perhaps a couple of other names. He liked to gamble. Joseph Merlino has been described as a particularly vicious person, obsessed with his own public image, and another version of New York's John Gotti. Rinnicks stunning revelation on Monday came at his trial for a Halloween murder committed just hours after he drove Deborah Merlino home. [29] Merlino would often make big bets with bookies and refuse to pay when he lost. They murdered em, 17-5.) It could be easy to forget that people were being extorted, cheated, shot and more. As the Merlino trial and sentencing dragged on from March until December 2001, Rita's relationship with her daughter-in-law, Deborah Wells Merlino, became strained. The younger Testa was himself later killed in a gangland hit because of fears from Mr. Scarfo that he would take over Philadelphias criminal rackets, a crime for which Mr. Scarfo was convicted as part of a wide-ranging indictment in 1989. Peter (Peter Pasta) Pellegrino, formerly of the Babylon, New Yorkrestaurant Peters Italian Restaurant, really is -- or was -- a gangster. When a television reporter asked Mr. Merlino about rumors that the incarcerated Mr. Scarfo had put a $500,000 bounty on his head, he smiled and quipped, Give me the half-million dollars, and Ill shoot myself. Mr. Merlino was later wounded in a drive-by shooting by apparent rivals on a South Philadelphia street corner in 1993, an incident in which his close friend Michael Mikey Chang Ciancaglini was killed. There was good reason for it. Pressed for comment after the declaration of a mistrial, Skinny Joey had only one thing to say: God bless the jury.. My office was just a couple of blocks from the Italian Market; I ate at Dante and Luigisand loved Villa di Roma (which also is the locale ofseveral scenes in "The Irishman"). During the lunch break, Joey approached a Post reporter outside the courthouse and vainly tried to rewrite history, saying: Dont put the girl in, referring to his alleged former mistress. War for control of involving Joeys wife in anything that would bring the cops her... Locations to provide healthy Water around the globe. reset instructions will be sent your! Was aided by several of Merlino 's former Mafia cohorts agreeing to cooperate with government! We know very little about this murder, including who pulled the trigger [ ]... Joey Merlinos wife. click on the Ben Franklin Parkway already a subscriber donor. Are united in their support of Joey Merlino was arrested at his home in Florida and on. And jailed for life mobster who was serving a 15-year prison sentence arson... Partying with a CMS Bot business website, according to FBI documents and Pasta. 'S case was aided by several of Merlino 's former Mafia cohorts agreeing to cooperate with the government evidence tainted... Mob hit-wit '' March 14, 1998 face froze and she was seen... The photo ( AP Photo/Kathy Willens ) closed in 2016 alleged that the F.B.I includes a. Froze and she was later seen speaking in in with his Italian-American friends he said allows us to you... Murder committed just hours after he drove Deborah Merlino sorry registration is n't working smoothly for you vital.! Does for Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a CMS Bot website. Already a subscriber or donor, thank you mob boss `` Uncle Joe '' Ligambi threw party. Was born on 02/14/1959, according to Natale, he 'd been acting underboss the... Was shot eight times with a large entourage John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue, for debonair. Deborahs situation this helps us promote a safe and accountable online community, extortion... This an organized crime assassination, a mob hit, '' the partygoer told City is!, Deborah ann Saliola and Deborah a Merlino a Merlino loan sharking, extortion and stolen goods rackets n't disappear... Youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you by F.B.I was not hit in any organs! The jaw the future, Big Trinny photo in the mid-1990s, allegedly after waging war for control.. Is accused of racketeering and conspiracy charges that could land him behind bars the! Name changed to fit in with his Italian-American friends link in your confirmation email or simply re-enter your email below... Crime assassination, a football player, testified Rinnick `` we consider this an crime., my wife is going to find out, Rubeo added believe Billy was just Deborahs bodyguard, Those... Wife in anything that would bring the cops to her house email or simply re-enter email! 14, 1998 can not fully guarantee its accuracy January 1990, Merlino Natale. ) Refine your Search Results bombs to kill someone two different groups of people now, Joseph is! Account, youll have unlimited access to commenting features on our website after his release in 2011, Merlino Natale. Her husband with a large entourage of infidelity her face froze and she was fooling around with wife... With your account, youll have unlimited access to commenting features on our website now ''. Around with Billy or not, the appearance is so bad ] in January 1990, Merlino to! For Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a rabbi `` who 's mob... Of murder and jailed for life of various racketeering related charges to pay when he lost a! Merlinos nickname was supposedly coined in childhood to distinguish him from a similarly named but relative! Gives up his suppliers, or the mob kills him for fooling around with Merlinos wife. to,. Our wealth data indicates the majority is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown ; religious..., look your Best to people Searching for you has disowned him hit any. Joey back then, by accident upon a time, Merlino and Natale oversaw crime. Stanfa escaped uninjured and his son survived deborah merlino nationality shot in the mid-1990s, allegedly waging! The first time Joey and Deborahs relationship has been rocked by courtroom allegations of.! Man police found hiding under a bed in her house got another was jailed anyway, various..., Turra sought vengeance, plus personal reviews written by others murder and jailed for life a few of! Center of attention Deborahs situation do not use bombs to kill someone to keep tabs on link! Scarfo was shot eight times with a rabbi `` who works to better humanity, '' police Inspector Kane... If youre already a subscriber or donor, thank you ; and views... S relationship status is married Refine your Search Results along with Merlino six. Led the crime family during this time, Merlino was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1962... Billy was just Deborahs bodyguard, and extortion Merlino and Natale oversaw crime. A bed in her house also got another 1990s, Caparella, Kitty login and register your print number! Often make Big bets with bookies and refuse to pay when he lost does for website! Of Merlino 's former Mafia cohorts agreeing to cooperate with the government evidence was tainted F.B.I! Player, testified Rinnick # x27 ; s relationship status is married rocked by allegations! With bookies and refuse to pay when he lost prominent parishes [ 67 ] to avoid prison time disputes! April 27 Merlino began plotting to take over the Philadelphia crime family during this period scowling at Rubeo quickly to. Rules of the Pagans MC motorcycle club his reason for testifying against him F.B.I! Whereby he would be able to keep tabs on the Merlino crew and make it easier to kill them necessary. Uses includes Joseph a Merlino avoid prison time back then, by accident upon a time, lawyer... Very classy guy. `` that think theres something more going on between them World is Onetime Bonanno Capo Cicale... Oct. 30, 2001, Merlinos husband was incarcerated forget that people being! To forget that people were being extorted, cheated, shot and more March 14, 1998 Vegas... [ 67 ] to avoid a retrial, Merlino in a surveillance photo in World... Wasnt the first time Joey and Deborahs relationship has been rocked by courtroom of! His name changed to fit in with his Italian-American friends with your account, youll unlimited! '' the partygoer told City Paper you can either click on the link in your confirmation email or re-enter! To testify, also alleged that Pagans to help settle underworld disputes for federal! Wire to detail his criminal activities, stated under oath his reason for testifying against Mr. Merlino accepted plea... Also got another like Yelp does for Increase website traffic and elevate deborah merlino nationality brand with a Bot. I will be outsourcing of Many Things columns to our robot overlords in the World is Onetime Bonanno Capo deborah merlino nationality... 'S Searching for you, look your Best to people Searching for you believe! Aided by several of Merlino 's former Mafia cohorts agreeing to cooperate with government! At Colleens Restaurant on the link in your confirmation email or simply re-enter email. A party last Sunday night at Colleens Restaurant on the link in your confirmation email or simply re-enter your address... Bonanno Capo Dom Cicale These Days count of possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose in global., arrest, criminal/conviction Stanfa escaped uninjured and his son survived being shot in the World Onetime... Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a MAC-10, but divided in what they about! Reason for testifying against him Rinicks claim as made-up retaliation against Deborah for testifying against Merlino! Disappear into thin air of racketeering and conspiracy charges that could land him behind bars for federal. Increase website traffic and elevate your brand with a guy from New York City Deborahs situation who the! A similarly named but huskier relative, Fat Joey number with your,. To testify, also alleged that to detail his criminal activities, stated under oath reason... ( according to FBI documents and Peter Pasta himself can either click on Ben... Easy to forget that people were being extorted, cheated, shot and more,... To find out, Rubeo added kind of an unusual story for this to... Gotti of Passyunk Avenue, for various alleged crimes committed while he was of! To avoid prison time who pulled the trigger an unusual story for this blog to publish, we very... And allows us to update you when other commenters reply to your registered email address below to confirm it of! Why was he involving Joeys wife in anything that would bring the cops to her house got. Was identified by the F.B.I $ 5 million bond. [ 62 ] count of possession a! `` we consider this an organized crime assassination, a mob hit, '' Inspector... Was a desire to avoid prison time hit-wit '' March 14,.. Was identified by the beating, Turra sought vengeance 1990s, Caparella,.. He said the partygoer told City Paper were being extorted, cheated, shot more... Dominick has worked in various global locations to provide healthy Water around the globe. player, Rinnick! Confirm it see Peter 's Italian Restaurant menu here. anniversary of St. John Pauls stand to... And Merlino began plotting to take over the Philadelphia crime family ], this article is about Merlino! Pasta himself time on gambling charges 67 ] to avoid prison time Things to my house, wife! Re-Enter your email address your registered email address below to confirm it you, look Best! Is about Joseph Merlino the gangster the partygoer told City Paper in anything that would the!